NYC fails at Rat Control! How to Make a Homemade Humane Rat Trap

NYC fails at Rat Control! How to Make a Homemade Humane Rat Trap

Have you heard the scratching, are you seeing signs of an Intruder? In a recent article in ABC news seen here, titled “NYC is failing at Rat Control” complaints about pests to the “311 hotline” about pests have risen from 22,300 in 2012 to 24,586 according to a press statement by city Comptroller Scott Stringer. While a 2,286, increase in complaints does not seem all too significant you must take into account that rats can reproduce up to 2,000 times annually. Do the math and the problem is just as scary as that late one night, you saw its beady eyes staring you down when you went to the kitchen for a midnight snack. Therefore, if you see the signs that a rat’s has moved into your home and you want it out but you are not the killing type. Here is another way to get that rat disposed, without killing it, simply by catch and release.

Here is how to make a humane rat trap out of common household items

Here’s what you’ll need:

Tall bucket or household garbage can at least 21 inches high

Piece of scrap lumber or wooden board

Dog food, peanut butter, or meat

Work gloves

Step 1: Determine where the rat has been: Look for rat droppings, chewed up food boxes, gnawed linens, and trails of food.

Step 2: Set up the trap: Place the bucket near the area to increase your chances of catching the rat. Make sure the bucket is tall enough (at least a gallon size) so the rat won’t be able to escape. Set the bucket up against a wall or something sturdy so it won’t tip over. Set the wooden board up as a ramp for the rat to walk into the bucket.

Step 3: Place bait in the bucket: Dog food, peanut butter, or raw meat can be used as bait. Set the food in the bottom of the bucket.

Step 3: Remove all food sources from the area, other than the bait: The rat was attracted to this area of your home because of the copious food supply. When the rat’s main food sources are cut off, it will look for anything else it can eat. The bait placed in the trap becomes more and more appetizing to the rat. Eventually, the rat will succumb to the smell of the delicious dog food or peanut butter, walk up the ramp, and plunge into the bucket.

Step 4: Remove the rat: Now that you’ve caught the rat in the cage, you’ll need to set him free. Bring along your heavy work gloves and drive to a wooded area or field. Tip the bucket away from your body near the ground, and set the rat free. The rat will be scared and scatter away quickly. Or you can simply set the rat free in your own backyard.

Step 5: Clean the bucket: After releasing the rat, clean and scrub the bucket with hot, soapy water. This is especially important if you’re planning on reusing the bucket to catch more rats. Other rats will pick up the smell of the disposed rat and avoid the trap.

If the problem is something your not able to handle make sure to give a call to your local pest professional or set poisonous traps to catch vermin, there is no need to call in the national guard, Catching pesky rats can be done humanely and cheaply with items already in your home.